Odo Ogun Constituents Petition Nigerian Judicial Council Over Controversial Judgement
The constituents of Odo Ogun constituency in Kwara state have filed a petition with the Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC) against Justice Sybil O. Nwaka Gbagi, Justice Cordelia I. Jombo-Ofo, and Justice Oyebisi F. Omoleye of the Court of Appeal. The petition calls for appropriate sanctions to be taken against the three judges and a review of the controversial judgement delivered on November 28, 2023.
The judgement in question relates to an appeal filed by Yusuf Atoyebi Musa and the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the judgement of the Election tribunal for Kwara state Houses of Assembly. The appeal sought to remove Otunba Taiye Afolabi, a member of the Kwara State House of Assembly representing Odo Ogun constituency, from office.
The Election tribunal, led by Justice TT. Asua, had dismissed the petition against Afolabi, citing a lack of clear evidence of election violence and the absence of a certificate forgery claim in the original petition. However, the judgement delivered by the Court of Appeal raised serious concerns among the constituents. They allege that the justices failed to consider crucial evidence presented by the Nigerian Police, which stated that there was no record of violence on the day of the elections.
Concerns have also been raised about the integrity of the judgement. Discrepancies between the judgement delivered in open court and the Certified True Copies (CTC) handed to the constituents have raised doubts about the whole process. It appears that there were differing opinions among the judges on the day of the judgement, but the CTC copies given to the constituents all show the judges coming to the same opinion.
Furthermore, the court's ruling on the absence of the title "OTUNBA" in INEC forms filled by Afolabi, which was not present in his certificates, has also raised questions. The constituents argue that this claim and allegation of forgery were not even part of the appellant's original petition. They believe that the introduction of new issues that were not part of the petition indicates a departure from established legal procedures.
The constituents have requested a thorough investigation into the individual roles played by the three judges, as well as the alleged family ties between the beneficiary of the judgement and the President's ADC. They believe that external factors may have influenced the judgement and are calling for the restoration of faith in the Nigerian judiciary and the upholding of the principles of fairness and justice.
The petition includes certified true copies of the judgement, signatures and details of aggrieved constituents, and other supporting documents. The constituents are hopeful that the NJC will address their concerns and take appropriate action to rectify the situation.
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